How do I ask my mum if I'm allowed a boyfriend?

Some background. I'm 16 and in Year 12. I'd say I'm pretty hardworking, and I did well in my GCSEs. I'm currently studying for AS levels, and I want to go to university. I do go to parties, but I don't drink (tried it and hated it!) and don't have a boyfriend.

There is, however, a boy that I really like and have been good friends with for over a year. He has told me he likes me too.

What is a good way to broach to topic of being allowed a boyfriend with my mum? We're very close, but the topic of boys has never really come up, and I'm really nervous about asking her about it.

I live in a big city, I go into the centre of town with friends, yes. I need to be home by 11, or have to sleepover at a (female) friend's house, and always have to tell my mum where/with whom I'll be.

Definitely just drop into conversation you are meeting X in town....X is picking you up to go to cinema, etc. (They will probably want to bet a glimpse of your bf, even if it's just answering the door to him) and go from there.

If it's any help, I wouldn't let my 16yo go on a long weekend to Amsterdam with her friends (you need to have met the friends I had when I was a teenager to understand why - we wouldn't have visited the Anne Frank Museum!) but I would have no problem with my 16 yo having a bf. (you wouldn't be having sex under my roof, though, thank you very much! )